The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 18

The living room had fallen silent, yet the air was thick with tension.

Matthew, who rarely returned home due to his work in national security, glanced around with concern. “Becky, what happened with Ethan?”

Rebecca replied evenly, “Matthew, he got himself into trouble being mischievous again. I sent him outside to run laps as punishment.”

“And Noah?” he asked.

“Noah volunteered to keep his brother company.”

Nobody else spoke. George, as usual, remained unruffled, quietly taking everything in.

Only Mrs. Thomson’s eyes betrayed a flicker of worry. She gazed out at her little grandson running laps in the yard, her heart aching with every breath he took.

Sunny Jones Thomson walked over and tried to mediate, her voice gentle. “Sweetheart, maybe that’s enough. Why not let them run a few less laps? Our yard is huge, and they’re still just little boys. Even one lap is hard for them—and today’s their birthday…”

Rebecca glanced at her mother and offered a small smile. “Mom, it’s only ten laps. They’ll be fine. It’s good for them to get a bit of exercise.”

Sunny nodded, but concern lingered in her voice. “I just don’t want them to wear themselves out. They’re only four years old. Ten laps is really—”

“I know what I’m doing,” Rebecca answered mildly, leaving no room for negotiation.

Across the room, Michael lay sprawled on the sofa, popping a grape into his mouth. He interjected, “Oh, come on, Mom. Becky’s handling her kids—no need to butt in. Besides, you were never this soft on me. I remember you making me run twenty laps in the yard as a kid, shirtless, in the blazing sun. That was way worse than this!”

He still remembered how the scorching pavement burned his feet, and he’d thought he’d never make it past lap five.

Sunny shot him a look. “That’s because you were always getting into trouble.”

Michael huffed. “Yeah, but at least I never slashed anyone’s tires and cost the family a quarter of a million.”

Ethan nodded vigorously. “Yes, Mommy. I promise, I won’t let you down again. But…”

He hesitated, then blurted, “But if anyone bullies you, or Noah, or Aiden, or Evan… I’ll still stand up for you!”

Michael, who’d been watching from the couch, coughed into his fist, giving Ethan a pointed look.

Ethan caught on instantly and corrected himself, “And—uh—Uncle Samuel, Uncle William, Uncle Michael, Grandpa, Grandma—if anyone bullies any of you, I won’t let them get away with it!”

Rebecca couldn’t help but laugh. There wasn’t a single person the little rascal had forgotten.

Taking the towel from the housekeeper, she gently wiped the sweat from Ethan’s brow. “Alright, you’re forgiven. But next time, talk to me first, okay? Don’t get yourself into trouble.”

Sunny stepped in to lighten the mood, her smile warm. “Alright, Ethan, go wash your hands. It’s time to celebrate your birthday—all four of you!”